Those returning to Somalia — including investors wanting to start new business in the their homeland ,Somalia.

The Somali Diaspora has proven itself to be one of the most dynamic and reliable support sources for their families and countrymen back home since the collapse of the State in 1991. In fact, the total sum of remittances sent home by the estimated 2 million Somali Diaspora overshadowsall aid spending in the country. In all policy forums globally, Diaspora engagement, participation and contribution is not just highly valued but directly courted and encouraged by the Somali Government, its foreign partners and international actors.

A state by definition is an independent sovereign state. Sovereignty entails supreme authority within one’s state. Hence, a sovereign state is free to shape its domestic policy, which reflects in turn its foreign policy that is directed towards its national interests. National interest, per se, includes many things that are essential to the existence of state, in particular securing its vital interests which are the protection of its people and border.

Somalia’s President Mohamud speaks during an interview with Reuters in MogadishuSomalia’s President Hassan Sh. MohamudUnder the reign of president Hassan Sheikh, Somalia’s people along with its borders are at risk. None has protection from foreign intervention. It seems President Hassan has abandoned his authority to frame the domestic policy of Somalia. In fact, he appears to be hireling of Western donors and neighboring countries, especially Ethiopia, if not he is a man with a purpose to fulfill his commitment (which you can listen the link below) to make Somalia part of Ethiopia instead of being the decision-maker of Somalia.

Surprisingly, any decision that matters for Somalia, whether domestic or external is decided either by Western nations, better known as the international community or its neighbors. Hassan Sheikh’s abdication of Somali domestic policy has, therefore, opened the floodgates of outside intervention in the country’s domestic policy. Little wonder that Somalia became a “Newfoundland” whereby vultures of different shade descend on it to have their bite. Otherwise, weak and poor country like Ethiopia will not have the authority to be the referee of Somali affairs or even dare enough to interfere if Hassan Sheikh is not the bed-maker of Ethiopia.

President Hassan Sheikh adopts policy of silence to smooth Ethiopia’s designs on Somalia. If not, how fragile state like Ethiopia feels to have especial license to claim Somalia’s interest to be its interest- a fact that glosses Somalia’s separateness as a state. And this claim has become a practice among Ethiopian officials to parrot the false claims of their Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn in which he has repeatedly asserted in an interview he has given to the BBC that they help Somali people as if there is no state, and government in the name of Somalia. This is indeed a telling reminder that Ethiopia has abrogated the domestic policy of Somalia.

On behalf of the larger Somali Diaspora community, we, members of Somalia-Diaspora Forum, are hereby sending our deepest condolences and sympathies to the families and loved ones of all those lost and injured in the March 17, 2014 terror attack at Amalo Hotel in Bulo Burde, Hiiraan, Somalia. As Somalia Diaspora, the news of tragedy back home was shocking and frightful to a personal level.

Our heart-felt sympathies are with Hiil-Walaal Djibouti forces who endured the loss and injury of fellow members in the cowardly attack. This was yet another occurrence that uncovered the unequivocal commitment and selfless service of AMISOM ‘s sector 4 Hiil-Walaal Contingent from the brotherly Republic of Djibouti to the people of Hiiraan, in particular, and Somalia in general.

We contacted Hiil-Walaal commander Colonel Osman Dubad in Bulo Burde in the aftermath of the attack and conveyed our condolence; and, availing ourselves of this opportunity we would share the pain and memories with the families of those lost, president Ismail Omar Guelleh, and the government and people of Djibouti.

May Allah accept their martyrdom and invite them in His mercy and abundant amenities.